Couplings for sprinklers and nozzles



May 29, 1955 A. T. scHElwE-R 2,747,938

COUPLINGS FOR SPRINKLERS AND NOZZLES Filed Dec. l5, 1952 A LBERT TScHElwER BY Unit-ed States Patent- COUPLINGS FOR SPRINKLERS AND NOZZLESAlbert T. Scheiwer, Erie, Pa.

Application December 15, 1952, Serial No. 325,961

12 Claims. (Cl. 299-131) This invention relates to sprinklers and moreparticularly to shut-o means for stopping the flow of water in hosespreliminary to disconnecting a sprinkler head from the hose. Also, thisinvention relates to adjustable nozzles for sprinkling.

In the use of hoses for sprinkling gardens, disconnecting the nozzlefrom the end of the hose and replacing the nozzle by a sprinkler head oranother type of appliance while the water supply is turned on withoutdrenching the operator has long been a problem. It is the usual practicefor the operator to walk back to the sill cock or water supply and closethe sill cock to stop the flow of water in the hose before removing thenozzle from the end thereof. This necessitates considerableinconvenience and loss of time and expenditure of energy for theoperator to walk from the sprinkler to the sill cock. In nozzles madeaccording to the design now in use, adjustment of the stream is obtainedthrough threaded parts by rotating a part of the nozzle to move one partrelative to another to adjust the stream. This is a time consumingoperation and considerable effort is required.

It is, accordingly, an object of my invention to provide a novel type ofsprinkler nozzle which will automatically shut olf the flow of water ina hose so that the nozzle can be disconnected therefrom without shuttingoff the water supply to the hose.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel type of coupling.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coupling for connecting asprinkler to a hose wherein the coupling will shut oi the vilow of waterin the hose until the sprinkler has been connected and, thereafter, alpull on the hose will start the ow of water in the sprinkler head. r LAnother object ofthe inventionv is to provide a nozzle with a noveladjustment means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel type coupling andnozzle for adjusting the stream therethrough. v

Another object ofmy invention is to provide a coupling having a noveltype 'of valve and sealing means therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel combinationsprinkler. i

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel combinationsprinkler and coupling. y l

With the above and other objects in vieu/,the i present inventionconsists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more-fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood,that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions, and minordetails of c onstructionY without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any lof the advantages of the invention.

ice

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view partly in section showing a novel nozzle andcoupling according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is another embodiment of my invention showing a novel type ofsealing washer on the end of the male member which is a part of myinvention;

Fig. 3 is a viewl of my invention similar to Fig. 1 showing the valve ofmy coupling in an open position;

Fig. 4 is another embodiment of my invention showing the couplingconnected to a sprinkler head; and

Fig. 5 is a view of my coupling showing the coupling connected to amulti-stage sprinkler head.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, Figs. l and 3 show acoupling member 1. The coupling is made up of tubular member 2 providedwith a hollow portion 3 therethrough and having circumferential ballreceiving grooves 4, 5, and 6 disposed along the periphery of the tube.The end of the tube is closed by a wall 7 and valve 8 is connected tothe end ofthe wall at 9. The valve 8 performs the dual function of beinga shutoff means to entirely stop the flow of water in the coupling andbeing la nozzle. The valve 8 is made in the form vof a peripheral flangeon the end of the wall 9. Apertures 10 are disposed around the peripheryof the tube. A female connecting member 11 is attached to one end of thetube at 12 by peening, welding, or other well known fastening means.

The female connecting member 11 is internally threaded at 13 to receivethe male threaded end of a hose or tube and a knurled outer portion 14is provided for convenience in holding the coupling when attaching it toa hose or other tubular member. An outer tubular shaped member or shell20 is disposed around the inner tubular member 2. The outer tubularmember is concentrically disposed on the inner member and is providedwith a connecting portion 21a with a groove 21 at one end thereof toreceive a female coupling member of a sprinkler or other appliance forattaching the sprinkler head or other appliance to the coupling, theattachment having a female member similar to member in Fig. 4. One endof the outer tubular member has an internal wall 22 which cooperateswith the Valve 8 when the valve is in the position shown in Fig. l. Thevalve S is slidable to the position shown in Fig. 3 as will be laterdescribed. The outer tubular member has holes 23 disposed around theperiphery thereof for receiving balls 24. Holes 25 are provided atlspaced intervals around the periphery of the outer tube' for receivingballs 26 which are held in engagement with the inner tubular member 2 bymeans of the split washer`27. Split washer 27 is held againstlongitudinal sliding movement in groove 27a. Split Washer 27 holds balls26 in holes 25 and in sliding engagement with groove 29. Washer 27 alsoserves as an abutment for spring 51.

The inner tubular member has blocking portion 15 disposed betweengrooves 4 and 5 and blocking portion 16 between grooves 5 and 6.Blocking portion 18 is disposed at the end of groove 4 between groove29C and groove 4 and blocking portion 17 lis'disposed betweenlongitudinal groove 29 and groove 6. When a broad spray is desired,valve 8 will be moved to a position outside wall 22.y At the setting,ball 24 will engage groove 6 and 4ball 26 will engage blocking portion17.

FigL'S shows` the valve of the nozzle set for a narrow stream. Fig. lshows the valvevof the nozzle set to deliver'a very"'fine mist. TheclearanceY between'yalve 8 and wall 22' can be controlled n'rnanufactureto provide for 'any amount of spray from complete cut-off to anappreciable ow of water by providing a large or small clearance betweenvalve 8 and wall` 22 when they are in the position-shown in Fig. l.

The inner tubular member is provided with groove 29C which receives theU-shaped packing Washer 30. The U-shaped packing washer forms a sea'lbetween the surface 31 of the outer tubular member and the outer surface32 of the inner tubular member. To prevent leakage, a locking sleeve 40is disposed' around the outer periphery of the outer sleeve. The sleeve40 is provided with a knurled surface 41 for convenience -in manuallyholding the sleeve during operation. The inside of the sleeve isprovided with blocking portion 43 which is disposed between grooves 44and 45. Partitions 46 and 47 are disposed at the extreme edges ofgrooves 44' and 4S, respectively. Springs 50 and 51 are disposed betweenthe outer tubular member and the sleeve. One end of the spring 50 abutsthe partition 46 which 'is attached to the locking sleeve and the otherend ofthe spring 50 abuts against the projection 52 on lthe outertubular -member. One end of the helical spring 51 abuts against thepartition 47 on the sleeve and the other end of the spring 51 abutsagainst the washer 27. In this manner, the sleeve is biased to a neutralposition between springs 50 and 51, thereby holding blocking portion 43over ball 24 when the sleeve is in the neutral position.

n use, the coupling member shown in Figs. l and 3 is connected to a hoseor pipe at- 12 and when a sprinkler or other appliance is connected tothe end 20, water ows through the inner portion of the tubular memberat3, through the aperture 10, through the inner part 31 of the outsidetubular member, and through the aperture between the partition 22 andthe valve S. When it is desired to start the flow of water from the endVby opening the valve 8, the sleeve 40 is grasped with one hand and apull is exerted on the hose or on the end 14. This will cause thelocking sleeve 40 to slide toward the end 20 and the groove 45 vwillmove overtop the ballk 24l so that the ball 24y can move into the groove45 and allow the ball to move into the groove 45 and out of the groove 4and continued force by the operator Will move the inner tubular member 2to slide toward split 4 102 by means of a split Washer 127 for the samepurp'ose balls 26' are provided in Fig. l. The split washer 127' is heldagainst longitudinalsliding movement in groove 127a. The inner tubularmember is constructed similar to part 2 having portions 15, 16, and 17in Fig. l.

rihe action of balls 124 is similar to the action of balls 24 in Fig. l.A locking sleeve 140 is disposed around the outer periphery of the outersleeve 120. The

i inside of the sleeve 140 is provided with grooves 144 washer 27. Afterthe inner tubular member has moved 'v to the position wherein thevalve'8 is spaced from the member 22 in the position shown in Fig. 3,the operator will release the sleeve and thespring will force the sleevetoward the inner tubular member 2, thereby causing the member 43 toforce the balls 24 into the groove 4 and lock the valve and innertubular member in position to allow the flow of water. To close thevalve, the operation is reversed.

The coupling shown in Fig. 2 is similar to the coupling in Figs. vl and3. The groove 221 correspondsV to the groove 21 in Fig. 1. End 223 isprovided with a groove 224 which is adapted to receive a washer or O-rng225. This washer is designed to form sealing; engagement with the innerpart, such as surface 31 in -Fig. l, to replace a U packing washer of afemale coupling member. Y

The coupling member shown in Fig. 4 is similar in some respects to themember shown lin Figs. 1 and 3. The coupling member is made up of aninner tubular member 102. The female connecting member 111 is attachedto the tubular member 102 at 112 by peening or other well knownfastening means. The female connecting member 111 is threaded to attachto a mating member of a hose 100. An outer tubular member 120 isdisposed around the ,inner tubular member 102 in the relation to eachother of members 2 and 20 in Figs. l and 3. The outer tubular member isconcentrically dis posed on the inner member and is provided with `agroove 121 at one end thereof to receive a suitable coupling member orsprinkler (not shown).

The shell or outer member has radially disposed holes 123` around theperiphery thereof for receiving balls 124 which serve an identicalfunction to holes 23 in Fig. l. Holes 125 are provided at spacedintervals around the periphery of the outer-tube for receiving balls 126which are held in engagement with the inner tubular member and 145.Springs 150 and 151 are disposed between the outer tubular member andthe sleeve to urge the sleeve to the position shown. One end of thespring 150 abuts against the partition 146 which is attached to thelock- 'ing sleeve and the other end of the spring 150 abuts against thethe partition 152 on the outer tubular member. The locking sleeve 140 isprovided with a peripheral groove 163 to accommodate balls 164. Balls164 are carried in peripheral holes 162 on fitting member 165. Lockingsleeve 166 is telescopically disposed on fitting 165 and spring 167 isdisposed between partition ll on fitting 165 and blocking portion 169 onlocking sleeve 166. A U-shaped packing washer 170 is provided in agroove 171 in the fitting 165 to sealingly engage the outer surface ofthe outer tubular member 120. The

iitting 165 is adapted to engage sprinkler or other member 131 by meansof threads 172 and a rubber washer 173 is provided in groove 174 to forma seal between the sprinkler 181 and the fitting 165 to prevent leakagetherebetween.

' for the operator to grasp the hose 100 at a distance from thesprinkler out of range of the water with the sprinkler resting 0n theground with point 180 driven into `the ground. A pull on the hose willcause a force between the hose and sprinkler 131 and lthe locking sleeve140 due tothe sprinkler engaging the ground and the resistance of point180. The force between the hose and the sprinkler will cause the lockingsleeve 140 to slide against thc force of the spring 150 to bring thegroove 145 in alignment with the ball 124. This will allow the ball 124to move into the groove 145 and disengage the inner tubular member 102,allowing the tubular member 102 to slide and allowing the valve on theVend of the inner tubular member, which is identical to the valve 8 inFig. l, to move to an open position to `allow water to ow through thesprinkler head 18,1.

It will readily be seen from the above that after a sprinkler or otherappliance is connected to the coupling as shown in Fig. 4, it is onlynecessary to pull the hose in order to turn on the water since ltheresistance to sliding of the sprinkler on the ground will exert a pullon the sleeve in the opposite direction.

Fig. 5 shows three sprinkler heads 201, 202, and 203 attached Vto acommon reservoir 204 which is attached to the end of a hose 205 at 206.By using a plurality of sprinkler heads on one hose, it is possible toget a much more even distribution of water over a given area of lawn orother land to be sprinkled.

In the foregoing specification, I have set forth the invention in itspreferred practical forms but I am aware that the structure shown iscapable of modification within a range of equivalents without departingfrom the invention which is to be understood is broadly novel as iscommensurate with the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A coupling comprising an inner tubular member and' an outer tubularmember, means to attach the inner tubular member to a fluid supply,means to attach the outer tubular member to an appliance, shut-off meanson the inner tubular member to cooperate with shut-olf means on theouter tubular member, said inner shut-off means being slidable to anopen and closed position, a

plurality of spaced circumferential grooves 'in the outer periphery ofinner tubular member, holes in the outer tubular member, balls in theholes, and a sleeve telescopically disposed on the outer tubularAmember, said sleeve having camming surfaces thereon whereby said ballsare held in one of said grooves when the shut-olf means is in the openposition and in another groove when the shut-off means is in the closedposition to' selectively lock said shut-off means in the open and in theclosed position, said shut-off means comprising an inwardly extendingwall on said outer tubular member defining a reduced size opening, oneend of said inner tubular member adapted to move into said opening whensaid shutoi means is in the closed position.

2. A coupling comprising a hollow innermember and a hollow outer memberconcentrically disposed thereon, a valve attached to the inner member,said inner member with said valve thereon being slidable on said outermember to control the ilow of fluid through said inner member, `andmeans on the outer tubular member to selectively lock the inner memberand valve member in open or in closed positions, said means to lock thetubular member comprising balls disposed in radial holes in said outertubular member, said balls selectively engaging spaced circumferentialgrooves on said inner member.

3. A coupling comprising an inner tubular member with spacedcircumferential grooves thereon, means to attach said inner tubularmember to a conduit, a wall at one end of the inner member, openings inthe walls of the tubular member adjacent the wall, an outer tubularmember telescopically disposed on said inner mem ber, a valve attachedtothe entil of the inner tubular member cooperating with one end of theouter tubular member to control the ow of fluid therethrough, and meanson said outer tubular member cooperating with the spaced circumferentialgrooves on said inner tubular member to longitudinally adjust the outertubular member on the inner member whereby the flow of uid through thecoupling is controlled, said means on said outer tubular membercomprising longitudinally spaced grooves on said inner tubular member, aball disposed in an opening in said outer tubular member, and cam meansto selectively urge said ball into said grooves.

4. The coupling recited in claim 2 wherein the means to lock the tubularmember comprises balls disposed in radial holes in said outer tubularmember, said balls selectively engaging spaced circumferential grooveson said inner member, and a locking sleeve concentrically disposed onsaid outer tubular member, said locking sleeve having two spacedinternal grooves thereon and an abutment portion therebetween and aspring to bias said locking sleeve to a position with said abutmentportion in engagement with said balls whereby said sleeve will releasesaid balls when moved axially in either direction.

5. A coupling comprising an inner tubular member with spacedcircumferential grooves thereon, means to attach said inner tubularmember to a conduit, a wall at one end of the inner member, openings inthe walls of the tubular member adjacent the wall, an outer tubularmember telescopically disposed on said inner member, a valve attached tothe end of the inner tubular member cooperating with one end of theouter tubular member to control the flow of uid therethrough, and meanscooperating with the spaced grooves to longitudinally adjust the outertubular member on the inner member whereby the ow of uid through thecoupling is controlled, said means on said outer tubular membercomprising a sleeve concentrically disposed thereon and means on saidsleeve to connect an appliance thereto.

6. A coupling comprising an inner tubular member with spacedcircumferential grooves thereon, means to attach said inner tubularmember to a conduit, a wall at one end of the inner member, openings inthe walls of the tubular member adjacent the wall, an outer t'ubulaiu`member telescopically disposed on said inner member, a valve attached tothe end of the inner tubular member cooperating with one end of theouter tubular member to control the flow of uid therethrough, meanscooperating with the spaced grooves to longitudinally adjust the outertubular member on the inner member whereby the flow of uid through thecoupling is controlled, said means comprising a locking sleeve on saidouter tubular member, said locking sleeve having two spaced internalgrooves thereon and an abutment portion therebetween, said lockingsleeve having a spring to bias it to a position such that said abutmentportion engages balls to hold them in engagement with said spacedgrooves in said outer tubular member.

7. A coupling comprising an inner tubular member with spacedcircumferential grooves thereon, meansto attach said inner tubularmember to a conduit,'a wall at one end of the inner member, openings inthe walls of the tubular member adjacent the wall, an outer tubularmember telescopically disposed on said inner mem'- ber, a valve attachedto the end of the inner tubular member cooperating with one end of theouter tubular member to control the ow of fluid therethrough, meanscooperating with the spaced grooves to longitudinally adjust the outertubular member on the inner member whereby the flow of iluid through thecoupling is controlled, said means comprising a locking sleeve on saidouter tubular member, saidlockng sleeve having two spaced internalgrooves thereon and an abutment portion therebetween, a spring to biassaid locking sleeve to a position such that said abutment portionengages balls to hold them in engagement with said spaced grooves insaid outer tubular member, and means on said locking sleeve to attach anappliance thereto.

8. A coupling comprising an inner tubular member with spacedcircumferential grooves thereon, means to attach said inner tubularmember to a conduit, a wall at one end of the inner member, openings inthe walls of the tubular member adjacent the wall, an outer tubularmember telescopically disposed on said inner member, a valve attached tothe end of the inner tubular member cooperating with one end of theouter tubular member to control the flow of uid therethrough, meanscooperating with the spaced grooves to longitudinally adjust the outertubular member on the inner member whereby the ow of uid through thecoupling is controlled, said means comprising a locking sleeve on saidouter tubular member, said locking sleeve having two spaced internalgrooves thereon and an abutment portion therebetween, a spring to biassaid locking sleeve to a position such that said abutment portionengages balls to hold them in engagement with said spaced grooves insaid outer tubular member, and means on said locking sleeve to attach anappliance thereto, said means comprising a tubular member and ballscarried in spaced apertures therein.

9. A coupling comprising an inner tubular member with spacedcircumferential grooves thereon, means to attach said inner tubularmember to a conduit, a wall at one end of the inner member, openings inthe walls of the tubular member adjacent the wall, an outer tubularmember telescopically disposed on said inner member, a valve attached tothe end of the inner tubular member cooperating with one end of theouter tubular member to control the flow of fluid therethrough, meanscooperating with the spaced grooves to longitudinally adjust the outertubular member on the inner member whereby the flow of fluid through thecoupling is controlled, said means comprising a locking sleeve on saidouter tubular member, said locking sleeve having two spaced internalgrooves thereon and an abutment portion therebetween, a spring to biassaid locking sleeve to a position such that said abutment portionengages balls to hold them in engagement with said spaced grooves insaid outer tubular member, means on said locking sleeve to attach anappliance thereto, a peripheral groove on` said outer tubular member,and a washer carried therein to cooperate with the inside surface ofsaid appliance to form a sealing surface therebetween.

10. A coupling comprising an inner tubular member with spacedcircumferential grooves thereon, means to attach said inner tubularmember to a conduit, a wall at one end of the inner member, openings inthe walls of the tubular member adjacent thev Wall, an outer tribu: larmember telescopically disposed on said inner mem4 ber, a valve attached,to the end of the inner tubular member cooperating with one end of theouter tubular member to control the llow of fluid therethrough, andmeans cooperating with the spaced grooves to longitudinally adjust theouter tubular member on the inner member whereby the ow of fluid throughthe coupling isvcontrolled from abroad spray to a narrow stream.

11. A` nozzle comprising an outer tubular member and an -inner tubularmember telescopically disposed in said; outerV member, a locking sleevetelescopically disposed on said outer tubular member, balls supported onsaid outer tubular member adapted to be urged into peripheral grooves insaid inner tubular member, said inner tubular member having a wall atone end thereof, apertures therein adjacent said wall, and a valveattached to said wall, said valve adapted to cooperate with said outertubular member to control a stream of lluid through said nozzle inaccordance with the relative position of said outer and said innertubular members.

12. Al nozzle comprising an outer tubular member and anv inner ytubularmember telescopically disposed in said outer member, a locking sleevetelescopieally disposed on said outer tubular member, said inner tubularmember having a wall at one end thereof, apertures therein ad jacentsaid Wall, a valve attached to said wall, said valve adapted tocooperate with said outer tubular member to control a stream of uidthrough said nozzle in Vaccordance with the relative position of saidouter and saidy inner tubular members, means to hold said outer and saidinner tubular members in adjusted position, said means comprisinglongitudinally spaced grooves on said inner member, balls held in radialapertures in said outer tubular member and engaging one of said grooves,and longitudinally spaced grooves with a blocking portion therebetweenon said locking sleeve, said sleeve being biased to a position with saidblocking portion engaging said balls and movable in one direction toallow said balls to enter one locking sleeve groove and movable in theother direction to allow the balls to enter the other groove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS801,210 Burnett Oct. 10, 1905 1,813,581 Rodriques July 7, 1931 2,255,334Scheiwer Sept. 9, 1941 2,307,427 Smith et al Ian. 5, 1943 2,322,877Parker June 29, 1943 2,457,993 Fletcher et al. Jan. 4, 1949 2,512,999Bruning June 29, 1950 2,568,515 Scheiwer Sept. 18, 1951 2,612,337Maynard Sept. 30, 1952 ,FOREIGN PATENTS 6,803 Norway Nov. 21, 1898

